Thomas Carr closes Seafood & Grill restaurant after just nine months

Chef Thomas Carr has closed his Seafood & Grill restaurant in Ilfracombe, Devon just nine months after opening.

Carr opened the site, his second in the seaside resort joining his Michelin-starred Olive Room restaurant, following a successful crowdfunding campaign earlier this year.

"All I can say at the end of the day, we tried," said Carr. "A lot of chefs struggle with their second restaurant and I can see why, but we had to give it a go and it's certainly an experience we've learnt from."

He affirmed the Olive Room remains open for business and said the Seafood & Grill's head chef Chris Essex will be joining the team.

He continued: "We're immensely proud of the recognition that the Seafood & Grill has gained in such a short time and of the fantastic team that worked so hard together, but the reality is that in a tough economical climate, it is extremely hard to maintain such a high standard of food and service in a restaurant the size of the Seafood & Grill whilst still being able to run a profitable business.

"We really did try our hardest to make it a success, but it just hasn't worked out. I do feel it's a shame for Ilfracombe to lose another of its quality dining spaces, especially with the Habit, the Quay and the Gendarmerie closing over the last 18 months, but if we kept trying to run the business it would have ultimately affected our guests experience as well as the enthusiasm and effort of the team and that's not what we would want to see."

Thomas Carr to open Seafood and Grill restaurant >>

Olive Room chef launches restaurant crowdfunding campaign >>

Menuwatch: Thomas Carr at the Olive Room >>

Get The Caterer every week on your smartphone, tablet, or even in good old-fashioned hard copy (or all three!).